You ever crush a huge goal — and then feel...empty?

You thought you’d feel unstoppable, but instead, it’s flat. That’s not weakness — it’s brain science.

In this episode of The Next Season Podcast, I break down why success can trigger burnout, emptiness and even depression, and teach a better way to set goals using my Never Summit Goal Setting framework.

Learn how to stay ambitious without burning out, and how to climb toward your dreams without tying your identity to the outcome.

Backed by neuroscience, real stories, and practical takeaways, this episode will help athletes, parents, and coaches rethink success and rediscover joy in the process.

You’ll learn how to:

🏔 Avoid the Arrival Fallacy that kills motivation after a win

⚡Rewire your dopamine system to stay hungry without crashing

🧠Detach your identity from stats, scholarships, or status

💪 Build confidence through continuous growth, not perfection

🎧 Tune in for a science-backed playbook on how to dream bigger, chase smarter, and stay grounded on every climb.

00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview

01:14 You Hit Your Goal…But… (The Problems with Traditional Goal Setting)

02:48 The Brain Science of Goal Setting & Pursuit (Dopamine & Motivation)

04:41 Brief Intro to Never Summit Goal Setting

04:59 Factor 1: The Arrival Fallacy (& Hedonic Treadmill)

07:44 Factor 2: The Motivation Gap

08:38 Factor 3: Identity Loss

10:18 Factor 4: Emotional Letdown (& Perfectionism)

12:49 The Reality of Climbing Mount Everest (& What It Means For You)

17:47 A Different Approach: Never Summit Goal Setting Framework

18:57 Brain Science to Support Never Summit Goals & Ambition Without Attachment

22:38 Action Steps, Closing Thoughts, How to Help & Useful Resources